How Much Truck Parking Is Sufficient? Moratorium Approved in Locust Grove

Photo shows multiple tractor-trailer trucks parked in a parking lot (Clayton Carte photo).
(Clayton Carte photo)

Less than one year after adopting a new zoning section to allow gravel truck parking, the Locust Grove city council approved a moratorium to reevaluate how much truck parking is sufficient within the city. The moratorium comes following several applications to build new gravel truck lots.

In January, the city council approved a zoning change to allow gravel truck lots. Such lots require industrial zoning and a conditional use permit. Such permit requires the council’s approval.

Gravel Truck Lots

Earlier this year, the council approved its first request for a gravel truck parking lot. Such property measures eleven acres off Bethlehem Road. The Locust Grove council approved it in May. Since then, several other requests have come in.

In August, the council held a public hearing for a 15-acre property. It is located on highway 42 at County Line Road. The proposed gravel lot can accommodate about 260 trailer spaces. During the hearing, multiple council members expressed a desire to keep truck parking on the north end of the city. This was based on proximity to the industrial area. Earlier this month, the council tabled the decision whether to approve the request.

On Monday night, September 18, Councilman Shearouse moved to lift the application from the table. The motion to lift from the table passed 3-2. Council members Greer and Williams voted in opposition; whereas, Councilman Breedlove was absent. A subsequent motion to approve the conditional use permit passed by the same 3-2 vote.

Also on September 18, the council considered another application in the same vicinity. Such request was for a ten-acre tract on Walker Crossing. The proposal calls for 5.75 acres of gravel parking, or space for about 155 trailers. The council will vote in October whether to approve the application.

Based on council discussion, there is one more application forthcoming on the north side of the city. Altogether, there have been four applications for gravel truck lots.

Moratorium on Truck Parking Lots

Subsequently on Monday night, Councilman Boone proposed a moratorium on new applications for truck parking lots. He suggested the moratorium based on the number of applications coming to the city. The city can also look to define how much truck parking will be sufficient. The moratorium passed by a 5-0 vote. It applies to any application — via zoning, construction permits or business license — for a new truck parking lot. The effective period is for one year, or until September 2024. Projects with an existing approval or pending application may proceed forward.

Featured image shows tractor-trailers in a parking lot. Clayton Carte photo.

About Clayton 1745 Articles
Clayton Carte is the founder and owner of The Henry Reporter. He founded the site in 2017 to highlight transportation projects. Over time, he began covering other topics like new development so residents can best know what’s happening in our community.

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